LDK Solar Panels / Price question

[Johnpaul]

We have installed hundreds of the LDK Poly panels. Whilst it's almost impossible to accurately monitor them without spending serious amounts of time we have no issues with their performance. We monitor all our clients performance figures if they bother to send in their readings. By far our best performing system is a 4Kwp South facing 35° with Sanyo HIT250'2 and a Fronius inverter. Which goes to prove, you get what you pay for.

There were a lot of LDK 235's stolen last November so if you have any concerns ask for the serial numbers before paying-send them to me to check if they are on the reported stolen list.

Hope this helps.

 

[Earthstore]

Woh there...
This is where bad mistakes are made, a system has to be designed, you do not just buy some panels and an inverter connect it all together and away you go.
You have to look at maximum and minimum string voltages, will the inverter be running at its optimum for the location, is it G83 approved, is it suitable for the grid voltage in your area, and the list goes on..

This is also not a clause, it is a condition to have an MCS approved system, that enables you access to the FIT, maybe you are not aware of the costs of running an MCS company.

I am trying to help you here, as I can understand the appeal of saving a few pounds, but trust me it will cost you dearly in the fullness of time.

Why not get some quotes from some local companies, you may be surprised.

 

[moggy1968]

when did the rules change?

 

[Earthstore]

when did the rules change?

They change every day Moggy, they change every day....

This one was about 3-4 months back if I remember right, do you remember the Guy that came on here offering to sign off peoples jobs?
It was about that time.

 

[ibby]

So basically what you are saying is that you would rather tap the expertise of a forum like this where advice is offered in good faith than have to pay for it?

I don't mind helping Joe Public out but I think you're having a laugh.

I just joint the forum as its free. I wanted your expertise input hence why I asked!
I could have just phoned afew installers and got the answers!

But I like the internet!

 

[sambotc]

what i meant to say,

eg.

I have been looking at MCS panels off ebay and other sites and a 235watt panel would cost around 130 to 160£ each.
The invertor is half of the retail price 500£

I would always use a MCS certified installer, but dont like the clause of we wont fit your items!

doing it this way, would shave around 2k off the price of a solar install.

I'm not sure how you can shave 2k off the price, at the end of the day your only supplying the panels, and as far as I am aware installers aren't in a position to add £2k onto the price of materials but they will get them at trade price which is probably not the prices you are looking at online. That is unless they are basically giving you them for free?

The cost of labour, surveying, scaffolding, certification etc will not change. You will save a few hundred quid by buying the materials for slightly cheaper, but you'll also waiver any warranty that may have been issued by the installer as they won't guarantee YOUR panels. Plus you'll effectively have designed the system yourself so no recourse if it under performs due to a mis match.

I really don't understand the logic personally, your looking at a 10%+ return and a pay pack of less than 10 years even if you pay for the installer to supply at the current prices, but you get a lot of protection against your investment at the same time.

The problem with solar installs is people forget that although the install seems relatively simple, it's the behind the scenes stuff like paperwork etc that takes as much time and people need to be paid for that as well you know because if your in the office filling out forms, your not out doing installs or surveying for other potential jobs. It's a business not a charity.

 

[ibby]

I'm not sure how you can shave 2k off the price, at the end of the day your only supplying the panels, and as far as I am aware installers aren't in a position to add £2k onto the price of materials but they will get them at trade price which is probably not the prices you are looking at online.
The cost of labour, surveying, scaffolding, certification etc will not change. You will save a few hundred quid by buying the materials for slightly cheaper, but you'll also waiver any warranty that may have been issued by the installer as they won't guarantee YOUR panels. Plus you'll effectively have designed the system yourself so no recourse if it under performs due to a mis match.

I really don't understand the logic personally, your looking at a 10%+ return and a pay pack of less than 10 years even if you pay for the installer to supply at the current prices, but you get a lot of protection against your investment at the same time.

The problem with solar installs is people forget that although the install seems relatively simple, it's the behind the scenes stuff like paperwork etc that takes as much time and people need to be paid for that as well you know because if your in the office filling out forms, your not out doing installs or surveying for other potential jobs. It's a business not a charity.

after knowing what I know now.

I stand corrected

 

[sedgy34]

its only for the experts glad you aknowledge this

 

[SpitfireW'sale]

We have sold a great deal of LDK and had very few problems - they are great panels for the price.

Unfortunately for the OP we would only sell them to installers, (or other distribution companies) for exactly the reasons stated throughout this thread. Being "trade only" also helps to protect our customers (installers), the industry as a whole, and therefore ultimately the end users interests in the long term.

I would be wary of any wholesaler who markets themselves as selling panels direct to the public.

 

[moggy1968]

Aslo, if you buy direct, you pay 20% VAT. If you pay for a cmplete installed system you pay 5%

 

[sedgy34]

We have sold a great deal of LDK and had very few problems - they are great panels for the price.

Unfortunately for the OP we would only sell them to installers, (or other distribution companies) for exactly the reasons stated throughout this thread. Being "trade only" also helps to protect our customers (installers), the industry as a whole, and therefore ultimately the end users interests in the long term.

I would be wary of any wholesaler who markets themselves as selling panels direct to the public.

read the posts back there is no wholesaler the op mentioned the words (aquire some panels)

 

[SpitfireW'sale]

Fair point Sedgy, but the post is still relevant to other posts in the thread. The OP also mentioned buying from "eBay and other sites".

 

[moggy1968]

just because he is buying on ebay doesn't mean he isn't buying from a VAT registered business!
Even from a private buyer somewhere down the line VAT will have been paid, always assuming the panels have at some stage been paid for of course!

 

[sedgy34]

just because he is buying on ebay doesn't mean he isn't buying from a VAT registered business!
Even from a private buyer somewhere down the line VAT will have been paid, always assuming the panels have at some stage been paid for of course!

the word aquired normally means stolen lol

 

[ibby]

I just want to say,

I am not a theif, no do i deal with stolen goods.

 

[pww]

"I am not a theif, no do i deal with stolen goods"


I don't think anyone was suggesting you were, but by following our advice you will avoid inadvertently getting into such a situation....

​

 

[ibby]

"I am not a theif, no do i deal with stolen goods"


I don't think anyone was suggesting you were, but by following our advice you will avoid inadvertently getting into such a situation....

​

Just wanted to point that out.

 

[whlphil]

Theres nothing wrong with LDK but they are cheap for a reason, they have lost so much money in the last 6 months that I think they may struggle to survive, they are being taken to court in China by some of their suppliers for non payment of bills, they have to highest debt to equity ratio in the business and I fear they may have reached the point of self fulfilling prophecy where people are too scared to use them for fear of them disappearing. And generally all Chinese panels dont perform aswell as European/Japanese panels so you do get what you pay for.

 

[sedgy34]

Just wanted to point that out.

nobody has suggested such a thing, but think about it as you could be the link between the theif and the guy who had the panels nicked from his premisses. thats if the panels you can buy cheaper are the ACTUAL stolen ones.